Roses to try and fix the Delaware River Port Authority

Roses to state Sen. John Rafferty of Collegeville, chairman of the Pennsylvania Senate’s Transportation Committee, for helping to push a bill to try an eliminate loopholes to allow politicians to vacuum cash from the Delaware River Port Authority.

The port authority exists to run transportation programs between New Jersey and Pennsylvania – such as bridges over the Delaware River and the commuter transportation between the two states.

Over the decades it has morphed into an agency favored by pols on both sides of the river to grab bridge tolls for “economic development” projects.

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When the sun was shining brightest, former state Sen. Vincent Fumo of Philadelphia used his political position in Harrisburg and southeastern Pennsylvania to shuffle funds around to favored programs, and political allies in the internecine wars of Philadelphia politics. Fumo went to Philadelphia’s “69th Ward” – federal prison – for a bunch of different stuff. But singling out the “Vince of Darkness” would be unfair. Other Pennsylvania political figures have gotten a taste and the Jersey Boys have done well too. Fumo was merely a genius at it. The reform bill was adopted Thursday by the port authority board composed of commissioners from both states. The legislatures of both states have to act. Then the U.S. Congress since the authority ultimately is the creation of the federal government, which regulates interstate commerce. The road to adoption is long. We hope local legislators and members of Congress will support it. Bridge fares should be used to support bridges and not power schemes of political figures.

Roses to Mary Pat Knauss of East Marlborough, who is being recognized for her work helping disadvantaged women enter the work force. The West Chester University Foundation is presenting its Woman of the Year award to Knauss. She is president of Wings for Success in Frazer, which helps women to get proper attire for job interviews and promotions. The non-profit agency has helped more than 8,000 women in Chester County during the past 16 years. The supporters of the agency believe that first impressions matter on a job interview and that struggling women without the proper attire will be overlooked in a job interview. The agency has financial eligibility requirements, and referrals come from domestic violence centers, homeless shelters and food cupboards. Funding comes from foundation grants and fundraising activities. The agency is now looking to expand to a second office in southern Chester County. Knauss is a retired Hewlett-Packard executive with a degree in chemistry from West Chester university, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Roses to National Pretzel Day – which is today, Saturday, April 26. Pretzels have always been a big part Pennsylvania’s German heritage. And that was before our public officials got involved. Back in 1983, U.S. Rep. Bob Walker of Lancaster County had a commemorative day declared for pretzels. Congressman Joe Pitts of East Marlborough, whose district includes Lancaster County these days, offered his own remarks on the significance of the occasion some years back on the floor of the Capitol. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, no ham himself, in 2003 declared April 26 National Pretzel Day. As Daily Local News reporter Bob Carville noted saltily, “ It remains unclear exactly how a Pennsylvania governor could bind such a claim on other states.” Whatever twisted logic was used is overwhelmed by the information from the Philly Pretzel Factory franchises in West Chester and Phoenixville that they will offer a free pretzel to the first 1,000 “or more” who show up at the stores today, National Pretzel Day. The stores specialize in freshly baked soft pretzels. Free. Today. Soft pretzel. That’s straight enough.